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The history of Rosa Parks Day

Within the Annuity Safe Zone®, the Barnowski Financial Group promotes the four “Biggies” during retirement that we know make our aging retiree’s happy. Our expertise is obviously falls into category 4,Sustainable Income for Life. If you think about it though, they are all related from the standpoint that without one… you probably don’t have one are a few of the others.

1. Good Health – Let’s face it… if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. Without Good Health, you probably don’t have mobility.

2. Mobility – Mobility can mean the ability to drive, or just get out and take a walk. Without Mobility, you more than likely lose your ability to Socialize.

3. Socialization – Socialization is important for our mental health, physical stimulation as well as keeping our brain active and engaged.

4.Sustainable Income for Life– Knowing… not guessing that your money will last you your entire lifetime brings not only stress relief, but also allows you to afford the best healthcare available with keeps you healthy, which keeps you mobile and social.

Today’s message has nothing to do with you personal finances or your health, but has everything to do about learning something about the American icons who were bold, independent and molded our country’s history…. and I am personally fascinated by this type these types of people and events.

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an African American civil rights activist whom the United States Congress called “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement”. Her birthday, February 4, and the day shewas arrested, December 1, have both become Rosa Parks Day, commemorated in the U.S. states of California and Ohio.

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery Alabama, Parks refused to obey bus driver James F. Blake’s order that she give up her seat in the colored section to a white passenger, after the white section was filled. Parks was not the first person to resist bus segregation. Others had taken similar steps in the twentieth century, including Irene Morgan in 1946, Sarah Louise Keys in 1955, and the members of the Browder vs. Gayle lawsuit (Claudette Colvin, Aurelia Browder, Susie McDonald and Mary Louise Smith arrested months before Parks. NAACP organizers believed that Parks was the best candidate for seeing through a court challenge after her arrest for civil disobedience in violating Alabama segregation laws though eventually her case became bogged down

in the state courts.

Parks’ act of defiance and the Montgomery Bus Boycott became important symbols of the modern Civil Rights Movement. She became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. She organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including Edgar Nixon president of the local chapter of the NAACP; and Martin Luther King Jr., a new minister in town who gained national prominence in the civil rights movement.

At the time, Parks was secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP. She had recently attended the Highlander Folk School, a Tennessee center for training activists for workers’ rights and racial equality. She acted as a private citizen “tired of giving in”. Although widely honored in later years, she also suffered for her act; she was fired from her job as a seamstress in a local department store.

Eventually, she moved to Detroit, where she briefly found similar work. From 1965 to 1988 she served as secretary and receptionist to John Conyers, an African-American U.S. Representative. After retirement, Parks wrote her autobiography, and lived a largely private life inDetroit. In her final years, she suffered from dementia.

Parks received national recognition, including the NAACP’s 1979 Spingarn Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and a posthumous statue in the United States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Upon her death in 2005, she was the first woman and second non-U.S. government official to lie in honor at the Capital Rotunda.

There are so many lessons to be learned and passed on to future generations by simply observing, recognizing and feeling the passion behind the initiatives of those who came before us. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Carl Barnowski, Founder/CEO of the Barnowski Financial Group

The four biggies are critical for Baby Boomers to enjoy a quality retirement

Carl Barnowski and theBarnowski Financial Group promotes the four “Biggies” during retirement that we know make our aging retiree’s happy. Our expertise is obviously falls into category 4,Sustainable Income for Life. If you think about it though, they are are all related from the standpoint that without one… you probably don’t have one are a few of the others.

1. Good Health – Let’s face it… if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. Without Good Health, you probably don’t have mobility.

2. Mobility – Mobility can mean the ability to drive, or just get out and take a walk. Without Mobility, you more than likely lose your ability to Socialize.

3. Socialization – Socialization is important for our mental health, physical stimulation as well as keeping our brain active and engaged.

4. Sustainable Income for Life – Knowing… not guessing that your money will last you your entire lifetime brings not only stress relief, but also allows you to afford the best healthcare available with keeps you healthy, which keeps you mobile and social.

Carl Barnowski, CEO of theBarnowski Financial Groupsays “we are experts in retirement income planning, social security optimization and positioning our clients assets to provide them a guaranteed income for life allowing them to sleep well at night. Then on to the good stuff”… My clients have spent their lives doing what they have to do… and part of my passion is to inspire and equip them to now do what they want to do. Through the power of social media, email and video technology, I have built an environment that goes well beyond my clients immediate need of financial security. I love being the inspiration and gentle kick in the pants enabling my boomer community to get out there and pursue their passion.. whatever it may be.

The four biggies are critical for Baby Boomers to enjoy a quality retirement

Carl Barnowski and theBarnowski Financial Group promotes the four “Biggies” during retirement that we know make our aging retiree’s happy. Our expertise is obviously falls into category 4,Sustainable Income for Life. If you think about it though, they are are all related from the standpoint that without one… you probably don’t have one are a few of the others.

1. Good Health – Let’s face it… if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. Without Good Health, you probably don’t have mobility.

2. Mobility – Mobility can mean the ability to drive, or just get out and take a walk. Without Mobility, you more than likely lose your ability to Socialize.

3. Socialization – Socialization is important for our mental health, physical stimulation as well as keeping our brain active and engaged.

4. Sustainable Income for Life – Knowing… not guessing that your money will last you your entire lifetime brings not only stress relief, but also allows you to afford the best healthcare available with keeps you healthy, which keeps you mobile and social.

People of all ages and physical conditions can benefit from exercise and physical activity. And research has shown that physical activity can slow down some aspects of the aging process.

Exercise Tips for Increased Safety
If you are beginning an exercise program, get an OK from your health care provider, and start slowly to avoid sports injuries.

These exercise tips from the AAOS are designed for baby boomers, but they offer good advice for anyone who is starting an exercise program and wants to exercise safely:

Always take time to warm up and stretch before physical activity. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury. Warm up with jumping jacks, stationary cycling or running or walking in place for 3 to 5 minutes. Then slowly and gently stretch, holding each stretch for 30 seconds.

Don’t succumb to the “weekend warrior” syndrome. Compressing your physical activity into two days sets you up for trouble and doesn’t increase your fitness level. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you’re truly pressed for time, you can break it up into 10 minute chunks. Remember that moderate physical activity can include walking the dog, working in the gardening, playing with the kids and taking the stairs instead of an elevator.

Take lessons and invest in good equipment.Whether you’re a beginner or have been playing a sport for a long time, lessons are a worthwhile investment. Proper form and instruction reduce the chance of developing an “overuse” injury like tendonitis or stress fractures.

Local park districts and athletic clubs offer lessons at varying levels of play for many sports.

Select the proper shoes for your sport and use them only for that sport.

When the treads start to look worn or the shoes are no longer as supportive, it is time to replace them.

Listen to your body. As you age, you may find that you are not as flexible as you once were, or that you cannot tolerate the same types of activities that you did years ago. While no one is happy about getting older, you will be able to prevent injury by modifying your activity to accommodate your body’s needs.

Use the 10 percent rule. When changing your activity level, increase it in increments of no more than 10 percent per week.

If you normally walk 2 miles a day and want to increase your fitness level, don’t try to suddenly walk 4 miles. Slowly build up to more miles each week until you reach your higher goal.

Also remember to use the 10 percent rule as your guide for strength training, and increase your weights gradually.

Develop a balanced fitness program that incorporates cardiovascular exercise, strength training and flexibility. In addition to providing a total body workout, a balanced program will keep you from getting bored and lessen your chances of injury.

Add activities and new exercises cautiously. No matter if you’ve been sedentary or are in good physical shape, don’t try to take on too many activities at one time. It’s best to add no more than one or two new activities per workout.

Consult an orthopaedic surgeon or sports medicine specialist if you have, or have had, a sports or orthopaedic injury like tendonitis, arthritis, stress fracture, or low back pain. A specialist can help you develop a fitness routine that will promote wellness and minimize your risk of injury.

It’s never too late to take back control of your lifestyle. Here are some other Boomer links that you may find useful as well.

One of my favorite sayings when it comes to retirement planning and timing is “True retirement is when work is optional and leisure time and play are affordable.” No matter which tax bracket you reside, this is true for just about everyone.

Thanks for visiting today and please feel free to comment or leave a suggestion for a topic you would like to see!

Today’s message has nothing to do with you personal finances or your health, but has everything to do about keeping you mentally stimulated and at the end of the day… just making you laugh. One of the ways that I love to keep in touch with clients and media followers is by sending them weekly trivia. It really has been a big hit! Carl Barnowski, Founder of theBarnowski Financial Group promotes the four “Biggies” during retirement that we know make our aging retiree’s happy. Our expertise is obviously falls into category 4, Sustainable Income for Life. If you think about it though, they are all related from the standpoint that without one… you probably don’t have one are a few of the others.

1. Good Health – Let’s face it… if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. Without Good Health, you probably don’t have mobility.

2. Mobility – Mobility can mean the ability to drive, or just get out and take a walk. Without Mobility, you more than likely lose your ability to Socialize.

3. Socialization – Socialization is important for our mental health, physical stimulation as well as keeping our brain active and engaged.

4.Sustainable Income for Life– Knowing… not guessing that your money will last you your entire lifetime brings not only stress relief, but also allows you to afford the best healthcare available with keeps you healthy, which keeps you mobile and social.

This weeks useless trivia questions and fun facts!

What artist had the first CD pressed in the United States?

In every episode of Seinfeld, which superhero appears somewhere at least once?

What is the average life span of a major league baseball?

The first toilet ever seen on television appeared on what show?

How many cows does it take to supply the NFL with enough leather for a years supply of footballs?

Watch the video above for the answers!

The Barnowski Financial Group is committed to impacting the industry as well as our national community of Baby Boomer retirees allowing them to sleep well at night knowing that without a doubt that they will not outlive their money. We are committed to allowing our customer the opportunity to…

Is it possible to design a retirement paycheck that you can’t outlive?

Where’s My Paycheck?” That is a common question for new retirees and near-retirees when they start mapping out the retirement journey ahead. In their working days, many had regular pay checks coming in to cover ongoing expenses. But what will take its place in retirement?

Social Security checks provide a portion of monthly income for most older people. Some also receive monthly checks from a traditional pension plan. These sources typically form the foundation of a retiree’s income plan. But to maintain their standard of living, many people also need additional monthly income during retirement. How to build that additional income stream is the challenge.

For many, the discussion revolves around two questions: “Should I just take withdrawals from my savings and investment accounts whenever I need money beyond my Social Security or pension check? Or, should I purchase financial products – like annuities – that will pay me a guaranteed income stream?”

The choice between taking withdrawals and purchasing an income annuity involves many trade-offs, so it pays to look at the issue from many angles before reaching a decision.

Carl Barnowski, Founder of the Barnowski Financial Group says “a good place to start is to assess how much flexibility you are likely to need. Early in retirement, for example, people may have considerable flexibility to spend discretionary funds on hobbies or vacations. In the later years, however, this flexibility may decline or uncertainty may rise concerning health care costs or long-term care costs”.

Early Steps for planning your retirement income.An early step in the retirement planning process is to project future sources of income and estimated expenses. Sources of future income may include Social Security, work-related pensions, or income from continuing to work.

Some income items will adjust for inflation, like Social Security, and others, like most corporate pensions, are fixed for life.

For future expenses, we suggest splitting them into two categories: 1) Fixed or required living expenses, including taxes; and 2) Variable or discretionary expenses.

Individuals who have mortgage debt at the time of retirement need to decide whether to pay down all or part of the debt. A key decision factor is the amount of assets and liquidity that will remain after paying down debt. Ask this question: Will the pay-down of debt be too constraining?

Those who have work-based retirement plans may have decisions to make before considering purchase of any retirement products.

Prior to separation from the company, retirement plan participants will likely be given a choice between: 1) Leaving your money parked in the plan; 2) Take a lump-sum distribution; 3) Roll the money into an IRA; 4) Take periodic distributions; or 5) Purchase an annuity through an insurer recommended by the plan sponsor.

Keep in mind that employer offers usually come with a fixed time frame for making a decision. Also, if the participant is married, they will have to consider the impact their choice might have on their spouse.

Products with Lifetime GuaranteesOnce an individual chooses an approach and income plan, he or she will need to scope out the available products that can help implement the plan. To the extent that future required living expenses exceed future income, people may decide to fill the gap with a product containing guarantees. Some examples follow.

Income annuities. The most straightforward choice would be an income annuity. This is an insurance policy. The purchaser pays a certain dollar amount up front and the annuity pays a fixed amount per month for life. Income annuity products come with various features that make them adaptable for individual situations. For example, income annuities:

Cover either single or joint lives.

Come with various refund options – for example, a guarantee that payments will last at least 10 years even in event of death of the payee. (The more attractive the refund feature, the lower the monthly payment.)

Pay a flat monthly amount for life, in most cases, or make payments that step up by a set percentage each year.

May adjust the monthly payments each year for actual inflation. Not all income annuities do this.

Bottom Line

When comparing regular investments versus products with longevity guarantees, retirees and their advisors will find some very attractively priced regular investment products available. These include index funds and exchange-traded funds, both of which cost a fraction of 1 percent a year.

Some retirees and near-retirees may prefer to invest in products with guarantees. The market for income annuities is competitive, and low-cost products are available.

In choosing these products, they will need to pay attention to the tax effects. Tax treatment varies among the different financial products, so after-tax results may look quite different from before-tax results. They should also pay attention to the financial strength of the insurance company selling the product.

One list note: It is essential to work with advisors who are experts in retirement income planning as well as fluent in navigating their way around the subject of Social Security Optimization and who understand tax effects. At the Barnowski Financial Group, we use specialized Social Security planning software that accounts not only for your work history and family structure, it also account for tax implications. If there is anything one of our retirement income experts can do, please don’t hesitate to call on us. Our job is to help you…

ARE YOU HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY?

Within the Annuity Safe Zone®, TheBarnowski Financial Group promotes the four “Biggies” during retirement that we know make our aging retiree’s happy. Our expertise is obviously falls into category 4, Sustainable Income for Life. If you think about it though, they are are all related from the standpoint that without one… you probably don’t have one are a few of the others.

1. Good Health – Let’s face it… if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. Without Good Health, you probably don’t have mobility.

2. Mobility – Mobility can mean the ability to drive, or just get out and take a walk. Without Mobility, you more than likely lose your ability to Socialize.

3. Socialization – Socialization is important for our mental health, physical stimulation as well as keeping our brain active and engaged.

4. Sustainable Income for Life –Knowing… not guessing that your money will last you your entire lifetime brings not only stress relief, but also allows you to afford the best healthcare available with keeps you healthy, which keeps you mobile and social.

Today, I am focusing on just flat out being happy. . A big part of maintaining your health and well being is maintaining our social circles and getting out there and staying mobile. The two kind of go hand in hand. Many Baby Boomers are taking caring of their aging parents who find it harder and harder to get out and rub elbows with their friends and family.

Boomers Here’s a lifesaving health tip: Add “spend time with family and friends” to your to-do list. Research shows that social detachment — having few close relationships — is as bad for you as smoking and worse than obesity. Older adults can become isolated by life situations such as lack of transportation, landing this issue squarely on AARP Foundation’s radar screen.

We all want to be happy. Did you know there are steps we can actually take to be happier? Here’s how:

Invest time in your family and friends. Studies have shown that strong family ties reduce rates of depression, suicide and stress and may even help you live longer. Happiness action step… Create a family ritual such as a weekly family meal or an annual vacation, and schedule an afternoon playing golf or wine tasting with friends.

Find your purpose. Happy people have a reason to get up in the morning, are able to live their values and use their skills and talents to fuel their passions in their professions, the community and their personal lives. Happiness actions step… What’s your “why”? if you’re not sure, ask: When do I feel fulfilled or happiest? When do I feel that I am maximizing my full potential? What do I want my life to look like in a year? Five years? Ten years?

Have faith. Religious people tend to be happier than nonreligious people and may even deal with setbacks better. Additionally, having faith helps people find perspective. Happiness action step: Take a few minutes to pray or meditate every day.

Get your financial house in order. The happiest people may not be rich, but they have enough money to be comfortable. Take control of your finances, and put the stress to rest. Happiness action steps: Create a spending plan that accounts for all of your income and expenses; make a plan to get out of debt; enroll in an automatic savings or investment plan.

Exercise, and eat right. Exercise releases endorphins, the ultimate mood booster. Eating a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruit, beans and nuts has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Happiness action steps: Take a walk during your lunch hour, or join a gym or recreational sports team. Write a shopping list that includes mostly healthy food and stick to it.

We all want to be happy and having peace of mind knowing that your health is in order, your family is at peace and your financial future is buttoned down all contribute to that. If there is anything The Barnowski Financial Group can do for you, we stand ready to help. Our mission is to allow you to…

As you know, at theBarnowski Financial Group promotes the four “Biggies” during retirement that we know make our aging retiree’s happy. Our expertise is obviously falls into category 4, Sustainable Income for Life. If you think about it though, they are all related from the standpoint that without one… you probably don’t have one are a few of the others.

1. Good Health – Let’s face it… if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. Without Good Health, you probably don’t have mobility.

2. Mobility – Mobility can mean the ability to drive, or just get out and take a walk. Without Mobility, you more than likely lose your ability to Socialize.

3. Socialization – Socialization is important for our mental health, physical stimulation as well as keeping our brain active and engaged.

4. Sustainable Income for Life – Knowing… not guessing that your money will last you your entire lifetime brings not only stress relief, but also allows you to afford the best healthcare available with keeps you healthy, which keeps you mobile and social.

Six ways to ensure a safe retirement

If you want to have a cozy retirement, your best bet is to find a job that offers a traditional pension. Have you heard of pensions? They’re a near mythical job perk in which your company continues to pay you monthly even after you retire and until the day you die. Pensions are a sweet deal for workers. But, while they used to be the norm, only 7 percent of employers offered traditional pensions to their new hires in 2013. That means you need to find other ways to ensure you’ll have enough money to retire.

1. Wait until age 70 to begin Social Security payments

If you want to maximize your retirement money, you’ll want to hold off on collecting your Social Security until age 70.

You see, even though you can receive full benefits somewhere between age 66 and 67 (depending on when you were born), the government gives you a little bump in benefits for each year you wait. According to the Social Security Administration, those of you with a full retirement age of 66 or higher can get a 32 percent increase in your monthly payment by waiting until age 70 to begin benefits. After age 70, the increases stop so there is no benefit to waiting longer than that.

2. Maximize your spousal benefits

Married couples also have access to other Social Security strategies that can maximize their overall benefits.

For example, one spouse could file for Social Security benefits and then immediately suspend payments. Doing so opens the door for their husband or wife to claim spousal benefits, as long as that person is 62 or older. The couple can use the spousal benefits to supplement their income until age 70, at which time the suspended claim can be activated and benefits will begin at the bonus rate as outlined in the strategy above.

3. Base your fixed expenses on your Social Security benefits

Hopefully, you have plenty of cash in your retirement fund, but there can be risk involved if that money is invested in stocks and mutual funds. Your returns can fluctuate and, heaven forbid, the market could crash, taking your fund balance with it.

On the other hand, Social Security is the old reliable of retirement money. Yes, there are concerns about its long-term solvency, but it has a strong history of delivering benefit payments month after month, even during government shutdowns.

Since Social Security could be your most reliable source of income in retirement, we recommend you make sure all your fixed and essential expenses can be paid out of that monthly amount. That means your combined housing, transportation, utilities, food and insurance costs should be no more than your Social Security check.

The average monthly benefit this year is $1,294, so you might be thinking there is no way you can pay all your fixed expenses with Social Security. However, if you have no debt, no mortgage and a paid-off car, it should be doable.

4. Leave the principal amount of your retirement fund alone

Then, when it comes to your fun money in retirement, only use the interest or returns generated by your investments and savings. Don’t touch the principal amount – that is, the balance that is in the fund when you first retire.

The principal needs to be untouchable because if you start blowing through it, you could end up with more retirement years than cash. Make your money last by limiting your discretionary spending to whatever gains you’re making off that money.

For the sake of simple math, let’s assume your money is earning a 10 percent return. That means if you have a principal balance of $200,000, you get $20,000 to spend for the year. Did you start saving late and have only $20,000 in your retirement fund? Then you get a mere $2,000 to spend as you wish.

That second number doesn’t sound like much fun, right? All the more reason to start saving for retirement now. Of course, you only get that $2,000 (or $20,000) if your money earns a 10 percent return. That brings us to the next point.

5. Be smart, yet safe, about your investments

Ten percent is, in my opinion, a doable rate of return for moderate or aggressive investment portfolios. However, in exchange for a double-digit rate of return, that portfolio comes with more risk, more chance you could lose some (or a lot) of your money. That’s a risk you may not want to take in your 50s or 60s.

A typical strategy for those nearing or at retirement age is to move their money into what are called stable value funds. These funds aren’t so much interested in making you money as they are in making sure you don’t lose any money. As a result, returns may be as low as only 1 percent.

One percent doesn’t get you much fun money. On a $200,000 retirement fund, that gives you only $2,000 growth for the year.

The quandary for older investors and retirees is to find a balance of funds and investment options that provides growth while keeping some money safe from market drops. That balance may include a mix of savings, money market funds and mutual funds. Rental real estate is another option that can serve as an investment while doubling as a source of income.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so consulting with a financial professional may be a wise move.

6. Start planning now

Finally, one of the best ways to ensure you’ll have enough money in retirement is to start planning now. Doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 60; there’s no time like the present.

Planning for retirement is about more than counting dollars; it’s also about visualizing the life you want to lead. To plan properly, you need to have a good idea where you’d like to live and what activities you want to do. You’ll also want to calculate your life expectancyand your expected Social Security benefits as part of the planning process.

Retirement planning can seem overwhelming, but don’t let that stop you from diving in. It’s better to start putting away a little money each month, even if you’re not sure it’s enough, than to do nothing.

To make the process easier, you can use AARP’s retirement calculator. And we’ve got plenty of help for you too. Read up and then take action. Let us know how we can help you…

An 81-year-old, Indiana man was forced to look closely at the annuity he purchased over 25 years ago. With a revolving door of reps, he called the Barnowski Financial Group and entered The Annuity Safe ZoneTM to help him truly find the right annuity for his situation resulting in a more competitive annuity and a reliable, experienced rep to hold his hand…each step of the way.

The Barnowski Financial Group will make your wrong annuity… Right!

Dorman Winger and wife Carolyn understand the importance of saving for a retirement. After retiring from a Chicago-based printing company where he worked as a plate-maker for over 30 years, Dorman decided to purchase an annuity from his local bank. He purchased a yield driven, fixed annuity offering principal protection and a monthly dividend for approximately $50k and $20k.

Soon after, the bank was sold, and Dorman lost contact with the rep. In came rep number two, who also vanished from Dorman’s Rolodex soon after.

What Dorman didn’t realize was that both contracts purchased were IRA’s, and at Dorman’s age where he is required to take the IRS mandated minimum distribution annually, his earnings were not outpacing his need for distribution. This is because the yield on the underperforming products he owned was unfortunately depleting his account.

“We aren’t really sharp on making investments,” Dorman says laughingly. “We are just trying to be as smart as we can. We are very conservative. We don’t even have a computer…Over the years, it’s just that I get my confidence in an agent and then they disappear. They might have been helpful at the time but they leave, and then I’m left.”

Dorman had no one to provide service, advice and to contribute to helping him reach his goals and understand the process along the way.

The Wingers found their way to The Barnowski Financial Group. where they found Carl Barnowski, a 23 yr. veteran of the business sells and creator of the nations first Annuity Safe ZoneTM – a program created to protect the consumer, creating transparency and building a system from the inside-out to match the client with the right annuity from dozens of A-rated carriers they work with. The philosophy also gives stability and exceptional customer service to help the client through the process, each step of the way.

After several visits to the Wingers home in Northwest Indiana, Carl learned that protecting the principal was the Wingers primary concern. Their second concern was a competitive return on their investment. An annuity was the right vehicle. But the product type the Wingers were given was not the best fit.

“Looking at our overall picture, we have a farm we have owned since 1970, we still have the house we built and 60 acres, which is our security. But we know we needed a bit more security for retirement. So all we were trying to do is making it last and maybe have a little for our daughters, five grand kids and seven great-grand kids.”

The solution:

Carl Barnowskifound the right product that could benefit Dorman in multiple ways. He replaced the two contracts for like products so that his principal was secured and is being paid a monthly dividend. But in addition, this money will pass to his wife upon his death with no fees or charges and he also has full liquidity with a healthcare waiver in case he is under any type of medical care for 90 days or more.

Annuity Safe Zone

The Wingers have doubled their monthly interest payments with a better-rated insurance company than they originally owned offering them more liquidity and fee free withdraws for unexpected circumstances. They have never paid a fee, transaction cost, or taxed in making these adjustments to their portfolio.

Additionally, Dorman knows he can contact Carl at any time, for any help. From better understanding a jargon filled contract to finding the address he should mail a payment to. And even if he has additional funds he wants to invest, which he did recently, he goes to Carl. The value of the customer service that Carl brings to Dorman and his wife he says invaluable.

“Carl has been the one who has got us lined up and on the track, and everything has been very positive and I have no complaints on what he’s done for us. In fact, that’s why I invested some more money recently. Anyone who is thinking of investing, I would certainly recommend Carl. I keep going back to Carl has been a real help.”

If you own an annuity you owe it to yourself and your family to own the right one. Let the Barnowski Financial Group help you make an informed purchase.

Carl Barnowski, founder of the Barnowski Financial Group was recently a featured guest on the fantastic radio show “Money for Lunch” with Bert Martinez. During this segment, Carl discusses theBarnowski Financial Group and how the firm promotes the four “Biggies” during retirement. These are things that over the years make our aging retiree’s happy. expertise is obviously falls into category 4, Sustainable Income for Life. If you think about it though, they are all related from the standpoint that without one… you probably don’t have one are a few of the others.

1. Good Health – Let’s face it… if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. Without Good Health, you probably don’t have mobility.

2. Mobility – Mobility can mean the ability to drive, or just get out and take a walk. Without Mobility, you more than likely lose your ability to Socialize.

3. Socialization – Socialization is important for our mental health, physical stimulation as well as keeping our brain active and engaged.

4.Sustainable Income for Life– Knowing… not guessing that your money will last you your entire lifetime brings not only stress relief, but also allows you to afford the best healthcare available with keeps you healthy, which keeps you mobile and social.

Money for Lunch Guest Lineup

Alex Genadinik software developer, marketer, and an entrepreneur. He is the creator of the Problemio.com business apps which are some of the top mobile apps for planning and starting a business, with 350,000+ downloads across iOS, Android and Kindle. Alex is also the author of two business books

Carl Barnowski Best Selling Author, recently co-authoring with Steve Forbes & Industry Leading Entrepreneur. He is a US Army veteran, graduate of Purdue University and founder of the Barnowski Financial Group with 23 years of experience bringing transparency to retirement income planning in a consumer friendly vs. product centric environment

Teri Citterman author of “From the CEO’s Perspective”, a certified executive coach, professional speaker and ghostwriter. Her experience draws on 20 years of advising leaders on issues related to internal and external communications, executive presence and leadership. She helps CEOs convey what they’re really thinking to drive performance, engage employees and increase bottom-line results

Kelly LeBrock international actress and model. Her acting debut was in The Woman in Red co-starring with comic actor Gene Wilder. She also starred in the films Weird Science, directed by John Hughes, and Hard to Kill, with Steven Seagal.

Thanks so much for taking a listen to the show. If there is absolutely anything we can do for you to help you Plan Smart… Retire Right… and Sleep Well, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thanksgiving Day is one of those joyous events we celebrate with lots of love and gratitude. Thanksgiving offers each of us the chance to count our many blessings — among them, the freedoms we enjoy, the time we spend with loved ones, the brave men and women who defend our nation, and life itself. As a nation, we have come a long way since that first Thanksgiving 393 years ago, and as a company, The Barnowski Financial Group has enjoyed many blessings over the years with the support of our staff and our many loyal clients. We truly have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

Notable Thanksgiving factoids:

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.

The pilgrims arrived in North America in December 1620 after crossing the Atlantic ocean on a ship call the “Mayflower”

By the fall of 1621 only half of the pilgrims, who had sailed on the Mayflower survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to give a thanksgiving feast. The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving in the fall of 1621.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated at Plymouth Massachusetts.

The drink that the Pilgrims brought with them on the Mayflower was beer.

The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivateland.

The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, who organized the first Thanksgiving feast, invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians of which about 90 attended including their chief Massasoit.

The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted 3 days.

President George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation in the year 1789 and again in 1795.

The state of New York made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817

From all of us at The Barnowski Financial Group, we extend our gratitude for the privilege of working with you or simply being connected with you via our extensive digital network and wish you and your family a truly blessed Thanksgiving.